Newsletter

Summer 2024

Welcome to our Loomer Medical Partnership Summer Newsletter!

We are still ensuring that the Practices are as safe as possible for all patients and staff, therefore, sanitiser stations and masks are still available in reception if you would like to use these still.

Covid Autumn Booster Programme

by Louse

Covid boosters are due to commence in Oct 2024 and will be available at all of practice sites.We will shortly be sending out invitations and links to book an appointment.

It is now confirmed that the following individuals will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn:

• All individuals aged 65 or over
• All residents of an older age care home
• Anyone aged 6 months or over in a clinical risk group
• Frontline NHS and social care workers and those working in care homes for older people

Flu Programme 2024

Flu vaccine programme is in 2 parts this year.

In September 2024 all pregnant ladies and children aged 2-3 will be eligible.

Followed in Oct 2024 by:

• All individuals aged 65 or over
• All residents of an older age care home
• Anyone aged 6 months or over in a clinical risk group
• Frontline NHS and social care workers and those working in care homes for older people

You can receive your covid/ flu vaccine at the same appointment if you wish or be able to book separately.

Invitations will be sent shortly to all those eligible with details of how to book.

RSV vaccination programme

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in the winter. RSV infection increases the risk of hospitaladmission and a vaccination offers good protection against this.
From 1st September RSV vaccinations will be provided to:

• Older adults aged 75-79 years old
• Pregnant women to provide protection for infants.

This vaccine is a single dose and is best given prior to or during the RSV season w hich begins in October, peaks in December and declines by March.

It is recommended to receive your RSV vaccine separately from the covid and flu to get the best protection, but where this is not possible they can be given together.

Invitations will be sent shortly to those eligible with details of how to book

To do this, listen carefully to the automated message and follow the instructions given on your telephone keypad. The system will play your number back to you and give you the option to provide an alternative number to receive the call back. Your place in the queue will be saved and your call will move through the queue until you reach number 1 in the same way it would if you remained on the phone. Once you reach number 1 in the queue the phone system will automatically call you back.

We have received some great feedback from patients who have already taken advantage of this service.

Please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer this service to patients calling us from unknown numbers.

We have a new website!!

by Georgios

We're excited to announce that our website has been completely redesigned to better serve you! 

The updated site is now more accessible and user-friendly, making it easier for you to find the information you need quickly and efficiently. Whether you're looking for health resources, clinic details, or ways to get in touch, everything is just a click away. Check out our new look today!

A Little message from our great PPG!

by Loomer Medical Partnership PPG

We meet together with the Practice four times a year where we are given organisational updates and have the chance to talk about any events or seasonal activities within the practice where we can get involved and support the surgery. Patient Participation Group is a group of patients who volunteer to attend meetings and support the practice for the benefit of patients and the surgery.

The purpose of a PPG is to give the practice and patients the opportunity to share ideas, and to be an advocate for patients.

At the meetings we do meet other members of the clinical team who pop in to the meeting to tell us a little bit about themselves and what they do in their role, which is interesting as the roles have changed alot since the original Dr and Nurse clinical set-up, and speaking to these clinicians has made us more aware of how much of a benefit they are to patients.

It is nice to get together, have a cup of tea (cake on special occasions) and talk about any concerns, and sometimes this is a matter of understanding how the processes work. We already know this is something the Practice wants to do more of, and that's getting more information out to patients, so processes are clear.

We are always looking for new faces to join our group. If you are interested please contact the surgery and ask to speak to one of the practice patient administrators who will be happy to have a chat with you about what our meetings are all about.

You matter!, join us and become part of the future.

Patient feedback

by Ruth Matthews

We value all our patient feedback, whether it is a good experience or if there are areas which we can improve on.

You can leave your feedback in many ways:

• NHS choices
• Google review
• Directly at our practice
• Completing our "friends and family cards"

If you feel you would like to talk and discuss your experience whether this a good experience or something that did not go as well as expected, you can arrange to speak to our Practice Patient Manager at the surgery or we can arrange a face to face meeting.

Bank holiday closures for 2024

The surgery will closed on the following days in 2024-2025

• Monday 25 December 2024
• Monday 26 December 2024
• Monday 1 January 2025

If you require medical attention when the surgery is closed please call 111 who will be able to assist you. Please note if your medical need is life threatening, then you need to contact 999.

Published: Sep 2, 2024